Planting Times for Garden Vegetables

If you've decided that you'd like to start growing your own food, it's important to know the planting times for garden vegetables. The best time to plant vegetables is dependent upon the region in which you live, as well as the growing requirements of the vegetable. However, as a general rule, vegetables are divided into two categories, cool season vegetables and warm season vegetables.

When planning a cool season vegetable garden, it's good to get an early start. Vegetables belonging to this category like cool soil and weather. Without it, they will not germinate or be productive. Depending on your geographic region, cool weather may come earlier or later in the year. That being said, it's essential to have your planting bed prepared in time for planting. Specific planting times for garden vegetables in this category will vary depending on where you live, so it's best to consult your local nursery for more guidance on what grows well in your region. Common cool season vegetables include leafy greens such as collards, kale, spinach, and lettuce. Peas, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, and onions also popular cool season vegetables.

Warm season vegetable gardens will only be productive in warm weather conditions. You must wait until after the last frost before planting vegetables in this category. It's best to wait until all chance of frost has passed before planting. Again, it's crucial to have the planting bed prepared in advance. Common warm season vegetables include many vining varieties including cucumbers, squash, and watermelon. Okra, eggplant, corn and sweet potatoes also thrive in warm conditions. If you're planning on planting pumpkin seeds, they must also be included in the warm season. 

Depending on your region, planting times for garden vegetables may vary. It's best to consider what you'd like to grow in advance. Then you can research the best planting times for your area. Additionally, some helpful tips for growing organic vegetables will be useful in assuring a large vegetable harvest.